Despite Justin Vernon's puzzling mixed signals concerning the future of Bon Iver, he took to the stage at Eaux Claires Music & Arts Festival in Wisconsin, which he organized alongside The National's Aaron Dessner, to give fans craving innovative tracks a pleasant surprise.
In the midst of Bon Iver's Friday headlining set, Vernon and company performed two recently crafted and untitled songs, which were caught on camera through fan-shot videos. Vernon teased that the festival performances would breathe "new life" into Bon Iver, being that it's been nearly more than three years since they've last performed. However, Vernon has been adamant about the fact that the group has no future plans of touring or releasing a follow-up album.
Fans last got a taste of the indie folk band with 2011's self-titled sophomore LP Bon Iver. Ever since, the singer-songwriter made it clear that the band may never create new material. Speaking to Grantland, Vernon recently detailed his doubts about Bon Iver's future endeavors. "I definitely care about the Bon Iver thing a lot," he said. "But it's kind of my thing and there's only so much time you can spend with yourself before you just become an assh*le."
"I've been taking it really slow," he added. "I just think maybe I ran my course with being able to come up with new moments on the guitar."
On the other hand, during an interview in May with Kare 11, Vernon explained that the then-impending festival instilled some hope. "It's the perfect platform for us to be like, this is how we're starting this new cycle, new life of the band. It makes so much sense to start it here."
It's may be unclear what the future will bring for Bon Iver but it's evident Vernon can't stay away from the music scene, or the basketball court, for quite too long.
Setlist:
"Heavenly Father"
"Lump Sum"
"Towers"
"Calgary"
"Flume"
"Blindsided"
"Brackett, WI"
"Babys"
"Holocene"
"Perth"
"For Emma"
"The Wolves (Act I and II)"
"New Song 1"
"New Song 2"
"Skinny Love"
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